Holy crap, people! Netroots Nation starts tomorrow, and you don't want to be left scrambling at the last minute to join in the fun online.
Take some time today to set yourself up on Second Life so you can be ready to roll when we in the virtual world join the folks in Pittsburgh for all kinds of live, streaming, and best of all, interactive events. See below for helpful links that will guide you through the process.
Here is the official schedule of events for Netroots Nation in Second Life:
Note: All streamed events and films will be shown in the Netroots Nation arena - unless otherwise noted. All times are given in Second Life time, which is the same as Pacific time. All links are "slurls" which will prompt you to allow the Second Life application to teleport you to that location. They won't work until you have the application installed.
THURSDAY, AUGUST 13
9:15AM: (NNinSL Exclusive Event) Exclusive screening of Silent Partners, a documentary about the same-sex partners of soldiers forced to live in complete silence under the cloud of Don’t Ask/Don’t Tell. Following the screening will be a discussion and Q&A with the filmmker, Richard Ray Perez.
10:45AM: (NNinSL Exclusive Event) "First They Ignore You." NNSL Programming Director Zathras Afarensis in a conversation with SL/RL peace activists Siri Vita, millay Freschi and Cotton Thorne about the challenges and rewards of online and in-world activism in support of human rights on a nonviolent resistance model, particularly in the context of events in Iran since this year’s presidential election there.
3:00PM: Opening keynote address by President Bill Clinton, streamed live from Netroots Nation in Pittsburgh.
6:45PM: Jay Ackroyd of Virtually Speaking sits down with Daily Kos founder Markos Moulitsas for a discussion of his book Taking On the System. Held at Virtually Speaking’s InWorld Amphitheatre.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 14
6:00AM: "Rx for Reform: Health Care Town Hall with Dr. Howard Dean." Streamed live from Netroots Nation in Pittsburgh.
8:00AM: "Pennsylvania Leadership Forum." Q&A with Pennsylvania Sen. Arlen Specter and Rep. Joe Sestak, moderated by Susie Madrak and Ari Melber. Streamed live from Netroots Nation.
10:30AM: "Mixtapes to Myspace: How Hip Hop Builds Movements". Discussion of the interplay between the hip hop music world and the progressive community, and how the two communities can work together. Panelists include Rev. Lennox Yearwood, Jr., Davey D, Paradise Gray, Kimberly "Dr. Goddess" Ellis, and Jasiri X. Streamed live from Pittsburgh.
12:00PM: "After Sotomayor: How Progressives Reshape the Debate Over Our Constitution and the Supreme Court." Discussion of issues surrounding the Supreme Court and the Constitution, how these issues may play out during the Obama Administration, and what the Netroots can do to engage the Administration in an effort to restore our claim to the text and history of the Constitution. Panelists include Nan Aron, Doug Kendall, Christy Hardin Smith, Rep. Jerry Nadler, and Thomas Saenz. Streamed live from Pittsburgh.
1:30PM: "Organizing in Second Life and Other Virtual Environments." Within five years, some say 3D internet will be as important as the web is today. Virtual environments are a viable and effective platform for community building. How can virtual worlds connect rural, urban, red state and blue state activists to the greater progressive community? Virtual worlds like Second Life provide opportunities for interactive and not-possible-in-real-life displays and offer an enhanced sense of presence for social networking and expansion of progressive alliances. Panelists include General J.C. Christian of Jesus’ General and members of the Netroots Nation in Second Life team. This event takes place both in Pittsburgh and in Second Life.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 15
6:00AM: "A Conversation with Valerie Jarrett." Stand-up comic and blogger Baratunde Thurston of Jack & Jill Politics sits down for an exclusive conversation with one of President Obama’s most trusted advisors, Valerie Jarrett. Streamed live from Pittsburgh.
9:00AM: "Building a 21st Century Economy." New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine, Change to Win Chair Anna Burger and economist Dean Baker will join us in Pittsburgh for a discussion about the economy and how it affects working Americans. The panel will be moderated by Kevin Drum of Mother Jones. Streamed live from Pittsburgh.
12:00PM: "Outside Getting In: Tying the Progressive Movement to Congress for Policymaking" This panel will discuss how the Netroots and progressive movement can have a greater impact on Congress. We’ll also discuss current Congressional processes and some of the innovations being pursued by the Progressive Caucus. Panelists include Joan McCarter, Darcy Burner, David Waldman, Jane Hamsher, and Shaunna Thomas. Streamed live from Pittsburgh.
4:00PM: (NNinSL Exclusive Event) "Mountain Top Removal: A Documentary by Michael O’Connell." Netroots Nation in Second Life is proud to present Machael O’Connell’s 2006 documentary about the coal industry in Appalachia, Mountain Top Removal, followed by a conversation with the filmmaker.
SUNDAY, AUGUST 16
6:00AM: Transreality Interfaith Service With Pastor Dan One and all are invited to join us at the Netroots Nation meeting space for an interfaith Sunday morning service with Pastor Dan streamed in from Pittsburgh. We recommend you go to World, Environment Settings and set them to Sunrise for a beautiful view of the virtual ocean! Held at Netroots Nation Meeting room
10:00AM: (NNinSL Exclusive Event) Billybob Neck Saves Us All: A Special NNSL Edition of Billybob’s Hour of Bein’ Good In-world comedy event. Moderator: Billybob don’t need one. William Robert Neck was born in the house his father built on Jekyll Island, GA and has followed the Lord ever since. Every night he puts his slippers under the bed so that he gets down on his knees every morning to thank God for the the good things in life and humbly ask Him to wipe liberals off the face of the earth. This Sunday, he’s a-comin’ to Netroots Island to save our souls. So you come listen, y’all. Held at Netroots Nation Meeting room
11:00AM: (NNinSL Exclusive Event) "Brainstorming For Action": Looking Towards the Future of SL Activism Moderator: Hypatia Eames. Panel: You! Netroots Nation in Second Life invites any and all attendees to join NNSL VP Hypatia Eames for a conversation about where we go from here as an organization and as a network of communities to promote progressive causes within Second Life. Held at Netroots Nation Meeting room
And as if all the speakers and seminars weren't enough, here is the schedule of exclusive social events for Netroots Nation in Second Life:
Note: All times are given in Second Life time, which is the same as Pacific time. All links are "slurls" which will prompt you to allow the Second Life application to teleport you to that location. They won't work until you have the application installed.
THURSDAY, AUGUST 13
5:45PM: Idella Quandry sings blues, funk and soul, with a little jazz thrown in for kicks. Come to Virtually Speaking and listen to a mixture of original music and favorite covers. Then stay for a conversation between Jay Ackroyd and Markos Moulitsas. Virtually Speaking’s InWorld Amphitheatre
7:30PM: Opening party – NNSL 09 Opening Party. Come party with us on Netroots Island, immediately following Virtually Speaking’s interview with Markos Moulitsas of DailyKos. Tour the new sim and discuss the days convention event. Zathras Afarensis will be playing a set of live music, and DJ Pb Recreant will close out the night with his superb, eclectic brew. Netroots Nation Ballroom
FRIDAY, AUGUST 14
12:00PM: Second Life Caucus Streamed transreality event. Connect with like-minded folks and talk with others from your community in our identity, issue and regional caucuses. Netroots Nation Ballroom
3:30PM: Primtionary Comes to NNSL! Please join us for a break after all of Friday’s panels with a round of one of the most popular group games in Second Life, Primtionary! An experience truly unique to the virtual world, Primtionary is the modern Pictionary: One person gets up on stage and is given a secret word by the host which describes what they have to build. As they build the audience tries to figure out what the word is. The first person to guess the word wins a token prize – currently 25 Lindens per word – and, more importantly, the privilege of building the next word. Bring your imagination and your sense of humor. Trust us, it’s not to be missed! Primtionary @ NNSL!
7:00PM: Dancing Liberally at Cafe Wellstone Friday night, we invite you to come dancing with us at the venerable venue where for many of us, our in-world activist lives began: Cafe Wellstone, the labor of love of GenJCChristian Homewood, author of acclaimed satirical blog Jesus’ General (http://patriotboy.blogspot.com). Thrill to the ballistics of the General’s poultry cannon. Cringe at the questionable wisdom of an automated Alberto Gonzalez. Avoid, at all costs, bartender Dick Cheney. And dance your pixillated socks off to the stylings of DJ Rocky Torok. Cafe Wellstone
SATURDAY, AUGUST 15
7:00PM: NNSL Formal Ball Come dance with us at the Netroots Nation Formal Ball, held at the Netroots Nation Ballroom. DJ Dano hosts. Netroots Nation Ballroom
SUNDAY, AUGUST 16
6:00AM: Transreality Interfaith Service With Pastor Dan One and all are invited to join us at the Netroots Nation meeting space for an interfaith Sunday morning service with Pastor Dan streamed in from Pittsburgh. We recommend you go to World, Environment Settings and set them to Sunrise for a beautiful view of the virtual ocean! Netroots Nation Meeting room
10:00AM: Billybob Neck Saves Us All: A Special NNSL Edition of Billybob’s Hour of Bein’ Good In-world comedy event. Moderator: Billybob don’t need one. William Robert Neck was born in the house his father built on Jekyll Island, GA and has followed the Lord ever since. Every night he puts his slippers under the bed so that he gets down on his knees every morning to thank God for the the good things in life and humbly ask Him to wipe liberals off the face of the earth. This Sunday, he’s a-comin’ to Netroots Island to save our souls. So you come listen, y’all. Netroots Nation Meeting room
2:00PM: NNSL 09 Closing Beach Party Please join us as we say farewell to Netroots Nation in Second Life 2009 with a party at the most laid back spot on the island. We’ll party with music and dancing, some 7Seas fishing, and maybe lounge in a hammock. DJ Zathras will be taking requests for your favorite tunes.
That's a lot of great stuff! And you can do it all for free.
Getting Started in Second Life
If you are new to the idea of Second Life, and would like to know how to set up your account and get started, Moody Loner has done a wonderful series of illustrated diaries that will lead you through the process step-by-step. Start by downloading the Second Life application, then click on these diaries and let MoodyLoner guide you through it.
How to Second Life Part 1 - Creating Kossack Fullstop
How to Second Life 2 - Kossack Fullstop at Orientation Island
How to Second Life 3 - Kossack Fullstop at the Optional Move Tutorials
How to Second Life 4 - Kossack Fullstop at Large
How to Second Life Part 5: Freebies with Kossack Fullstop
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Looking Great & Getting Comfortable in Second Life
Now that Moody Loner has guided you through the process of getting your avatar and getting him/her moving around in the world, you'll want to know how to get your avatar looking spiffy and comfortable. Looking like a newbie can make you stick out like the proverbial sore thumb in some places. My aim is to make sure you don't feel intimidated by the Second Life experience, so to that end, I suggest checking out this earlier diary on how not to look like a newbie:
http://www.dailykos.com/...
Pretty soon, you'll be all spiffy and confident, and you'll be attending the virtual Netroots Nation in style!
If you have any questions, ask away in the comments, and the Second Lifer's will do their best to find you some answers.